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Friday, 23 May 2014

Two by-elections for vacant seats on Lancaster City Council took place yesterday (Thursday May 22).
Green Party Candidates Abi Mills (Scotforth West) and Jack Filmore (University) both took seats previously held by Labour.

The Lancaster district should make plans for an additional 12,000 new homes over the next 20 years to meet housing needs fuelled by an increasing population and a growing economy. This would represent a 20% increase in the number of local homes.

That’s the verdict of independent consultants Turley Associates who last year conducted a local housing requirements study on the district to replace regional targets recently abolished by the Government. Around the country all councils are now being urgently required to meet these newly calculated needs. .

Their report states as its premise: "The authority of Lancaster includes approximately 61,950 properties of which all but approximately 4.3% are occupied."The assessment of need, however, has clearly identified that if Lancaster seeks to accommodate growth in its business base manifested in a growth in employment opportunities to the levels currently forecast by Experian then the level of housing required to accommodate a growing labour-force will need to be in the region of at least 560 per annum. Growth of this level would accommodate projected population growth pressures and represent an increase on average recent historic levels of net migration into the authority. "This level of growth also responds to important market signals including the scale of affordable housing need in the authority, which has been recalculated as approximately 578 affordable dwellings per annum over the next five years in order to address the current backlog of need and newly arising need. Assuming this backlog of need is met the overall requirement for affordable housing over the twenty year period is estimated as 5,000 affordable dwellings (250 per annum on average)."On this basis the research recommends that an objective assessment of need for Lancaster represents the requirement to accommodate at least 560 houses per annum over the plan period (2011-31). This would represent an increase of approximately 11,100 new households in the authority over the plan period."

This is great news for construction companies and estate agents, but what’s the best approach to identifying where to place all these new homes and accompanying infrastructure? A further issue is how the council might manage to ensure that at least 50% of the properties proposed could be made affordable, as the report suggests is needed, and what that might entail. In practice developers have been tough negotiators of significant reductions in the target percentage of affordable properties in new build developments, and also in the quality and sustainability of the homes they construct.

Lancaster City is asking the public to help it to identify the best approach through an eight week consultation which will be held from June 2 to July 31.

Coun Janice Hanson, Lancaster City Council’s Cabinet member with responsibility for Economic Regeneration and Planning, said:

“The scale of the task we are faced with is not to be underestimated. Through the work we have done already we have found sufficient land to accommodate 7,000 new homes, but this still leaves a significant shortage of 5,000. To fill this gap we need to ensure that we are taking the right approach and to do that we need the help of the public. I would urge everyone to get involved by either attending one of the consultation events or filling in the online questionnaire.”

The consultation will ask people what they think of the suggested targets and of five potential approaches to identify sites to deliver them, which include:

A Single Large Urban extension

Reviewing the Green Belt

Distributed to settlements throughout the district

Significant expansion of two existing rural settlements

Creation of a new settlement

A number of ‘drop in’ events will be held across the district for people to find out more about the options and to have their say on which they feel would be most appropriate to cope with all the newcomers, jobs and wealth we are expecting.

The results will be used to inform the next stage, which will be to consult on the most supported approach/approaches with more detailed proposals. This may happen in early 2015, (subject to timescales and council approval) and will ultimately lead to the preparation of a Land Allocations Document.

Thursday, 22 May 2014

A post-war image of Market Street leading to Market Square circa 1946. The centre of the square is still accessible to cars. The Square was pedestrianised in the 1970s

Lancashire's Museum Service has given us a sneak peek at the fascinating photographs of Lancaster's Market Square, which will be on display in Lancaster Library from Saturday 24th May as part of an ongoing display.

The exhibition launches just as the Square is about to undergo changes to its looks as part of the ambitious "Square Roots" project that has come about through local government and business partnership, backed in part by European Union funding.

We've been given permission to publish a few of the photographs that feature in the exhibition, backed by the Friends of Lancaster Library, here.

The corner of Lancaster Market Square, circa 1870's. The derelict building was demolished and is now Greggs Bakery. The building on the right was being used as the Gas Company office and the Blue Anchor pub. Joseph Crook was landlord of the pub from 1864-1872 which may explain the signage. The pub became the 1725 restaurantin 2007.

The visit by the Duke and Duchess of York to the city, to open the Lancaster Infirmary on 24th March 1896. The building in the centre of the picture was the Fire and Police Station which was demolished and rebuilt as the public library in 1932.

Market Square was traditionally used as a meeting place for celebrations and significant events. This is the Ox Roast in Market Square on Coronation Day, 9th August 1902.

The Wesleyan Sunday School Centenary, 1906

The exhibition coincides with 'Lancaster Unlocked', a city-wide event celebrating Lancaster's history.

Anyone who has photographs that would be suitable for the exhibition is welcome to contact the library or the Friends of Lancaster Library.

Lancaster City Museum also has a display about the history of the Old Town Hall, now the museum. Staff are keen to hear people's memories or see their photographs.

Lancaster Library is part of Lancashire County Council's library service.

Wednesday, 21 May 2014

Vehicles which provide a service to the public such as coaches and taxis should not be allowed to use tyres which are more than 10 years old, according to Lancashire County Council. Councillors unanimously supported a Notice of Motion proposed by County Councillor John Fillis, cabinet member for highways and transport, at a recent meeting of the Full Council. He said: "I was fortunate enough to meet Frances Molloy, whose son Michael was killed when a 19-year old tyre blew out on the coach he was travelling on to get home from a music festival. "When she began to tell me what had happened I suddenly remembered the incident – three people were killed, and it was one of those tragedies that sticks in the mind because the reason it happened was so wrong and easily preventable. "The coroner found that the tyre failed due to its age, and said that action should be taken to prevent future deaths. Although the tyre was so old, it was not illegal as there is no legislation in the UK which gives an age limit to any tyres on vehicles." County Councillor Fillis will now write to the Minister for Transport asking that legislation be introduced that would:

prevent public service vehicle operators from using aged tyres regardless of their outward condition.

formalise the current research and guidance that advises tyres more than 6 years old should not be fitted and should be removed and replaced regardless of condition when 10 years old.

make it illegal to operate coaches with such tyres fitted.

He added: "It is clear that such risks can no longer be tolerated and the government sho! uld act now in order to prevent any further deaths being caused by old tyres. I'm pleased and proud that members of all parties at Lancashire County Council have given their full support to this excellent campaign."

For up to date local cinema links and day-by-day listings every week visit the Virtual-Lancaster Cinema Page. Read on for the weekly round-up, and reviews.

This is a good period for new family films. We have animation with Postman Pat: The Movie (U) and Legends of OZ: Dorothy's Return (U). Also making an appearance is the impressive Disney fantasy adventure Maleficent (PG).

Movies coming to the end of their run include Rio 2, Pompeii, Tarzan, Sabotage and The Other Woman. However making another appearance is Tinker Bell and the Pirate Fairy.

Culture is represented with Driving Miss Daisy: The Play and two performances from the National Theatre, viz King Lear and The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time.

Two must see movies during this period are the suspense thriller Locke (15) and the black and white Buster Keaton comedy The General (U), both showing at the Dukes.

Reviews

Bad Neighbours
Director: Nicholas Stoller
Certificate: 15
Cast Includes: Seth Rogen, Jake Johnson, Zac Efron, Rose Byrne
Released as 'Neighbors' outside the UK, this is a comedy about Mac
Radner (Rogen), his wife Kelly (Byrne) and young baby and the disruption
they face when a college fraternity led by Teddy (Efron) moves in next
door. Initially relations between the neighbours are not too bad but
increasingly the frat boys work to ruin their family life and the
Radner's give as good as they get. The film is a bawdy comedy as the
tit-for-tat acts of sabotage escalate to hilarious (and possibly
offensive) effect. One of the better Frat house comedies.

Godzilla
Director: Gareth Edwards
Certificate: 12A
Cast Includes: Aaron Taylor-Johnson, David Strathairn, Bryan Cranston, Elizabeth Olsen, Juliette Binoche
Godzilla rises again with an excellent cast and plenty of special
effects as cities are destroyed. Joe Brody (Cranston) is a physicist
who investigates the events at a Japanese nuclear facility where
Godzilla is accidentally released. It is his soldier son Ford
(Taylor-johnson) who battles the beast as it stalks San Francisco.
There is some excellent performances, especially from Cranston and the
director tells the story from a human viewpoint. Indeed we don't get a
good glimpse of the monster till the latter half of the film. A
spectacular disaster movie and one of the best re-telling of the story
of Godzilla.

Maleficent
Director: Robert Stromberg
Certificate: PG
Cast Includes: Angelina Jolie, Miranda Richardson, Elle Fanning, Sharlto Copley, Sam Riley
In part a re-telling of the tale of sleeping beauty but from the
point of view of the villain of the story, Maleficent (Jolie).
Maleficent was driven to evil following an act of betrayal which cost
her the ability to fly. She battles to save her shadowy forest kingdom
and plots revenge by placing a curse on the infant Aurora (Fanning),
daughter to the king. Aurora herself becomes caught in the conflict
between forest and human kingdoms. This is a rather dark fantasy for a
Disney film, but a great tale with powerful characters and impressive
special effect.

Pompeii
Director: Paul W.S. Anderson
Certificate: 12A
Cast includes: Kit Harington, Carrie-Anne Moss, Jessica Lucas, Jared Harris, Kiefer Sutherland, Emily Browning
The year is 79AD and the backdrop of the movie is the epic eruption
of Mount Vesuvius. Mile (Harington), a gladiator strives to save the
love of his life Cassia (Browning) who is betrothed to Corvus
(Sutherland) a corrupt Roman Senator. This is a film that is hard not
to like as it 'ticks all the boxes' portraying poor boy/rich girl
romance with action and combat set in a disaster movie incorporating
spectacular special effects.

Sabotage
Director: David Ayer
Certificate: 15
Cast includes: Arnold Schwarzenegger, Terrence Howard, Joe Manganiello, Josh Holloway, Mireille Enos
John 'Breacher' Wharton (Schwarzenegger) leads a special drug
enforcement team, all with equally outlandish nick-names, to raid a
drugs cartel. However a large sum of money goes missing and there is
suspicion of internal corruption. The members of the drug enforcement
team find themselves targeted and start to be killed. There is no
shortage of gore and bad language in this movie, though perhaps it is a
little lighter on action then previous Schwarzenegger films, having just
one major shootout piece. The film however supplies suspense as we
learn what became of the missing ten million dollars. A star cast and
one of Schwarzenegger's better films.

The Amazing Spider-Man 2
Director: Marc Webb
Certificate: 12A
Cast Includes: Andrew Garfield, Emma Stone, Paul Giamatti, Jamie Foxx
Garfield plays the role of Peter Parke and his alter-ego Spider-Man.
He must defeat Max Dillon (Foxx) who becomes transformed into the
super-villain Electro, in order to save New York. The strength of the
Spider man franchise lies in the tribulations of Peter Parker as he
juggles his role as super-hero with the more mundane aspects of his life
and his relationship with girlfriend Gwen Stacy (Stone). With jokes,
special effects and love interest this is a worthy sequel to the
Spider-Man series.

The Other Woman
Director: Nick Cassavetes
Certificate: 12A
Cast Includes: Cameron Diaz, Leslie Mann, Nikolaj Coster-Waldau, Kate Upton
Carley (Diaz) discovers that her boyfriend Mark (Coster-Waldau) is in
fact married. She accidentally meets his wife and they become friends.
Subsequently they discover Mark is also undertaking a third affair with
Amber (Upton). The three women plot their revenge. This is a rather
lightweight comedy, and a little light on laughs. Mildly amusing.

X-Men: Days of Future Past
Director: Bryan Singer and Matthew Vaughn
Certificate: 12A
Cast Includes: James McAvoy, Michael Fassbender, Patrick Stewart,
Hugh Jackman, Jennifer Lawrence, Ian McKellen, Peter Dinklage
The film starts in the year 2023 where a war has resulted in the near
destruction of all mutants. Trask (Dinklage), leader of Trask
Industries, had developed robot soldiers that can destroy mutants under
the Sentinel Program. The mutants send Wolverine (Jackman) back to the
year 1973 in order to stop Mystique (Lawrence) from killing Trask as it
was this death that resulted in the creation of the Sentinel Program.
This is a fine movie worthy of the X-Men franchise that will not
dissapoint.

A team of 20 Lancaster University students, staff and community members braved the heavy rain and wind to take home 2nd place at the North West Confucius Institute Dragon Boat Competition was held at Preston Docks on 10th May.

The annual set of races are held to celebrate the traditional Chinese Dragon Boat Festival and included teams from five universities in the region.

The team, drawn from across Lancashire and Cumbria, was sponsored with the generous support of the Lancaster University Confucius Institute.

As part of this year’s preparation, the team also partnered with Paddlers For Life (PFL), a Cumbria-based charity for cancer survivors that fosters the wellbeing of those who have experienced cancer through physical activity and team support.

The Lancaster University team joined PFL for a day of training and camaraderie on beautiful Lake Windermere where team members were taught paddling techniques and staying in time with the dragon boat drum.

Lancaster University's Dragonboat team

Team members Jill Brumand and Sandra Maloney were both new to dragon boat but were keen to try and learn more about a traditional Chinese sport. Sandra said, "Competing in a dragon boat competition was definitely one of the highlights of my time at Lancaster!"

"The amazing women and men from Paddlers for Life taught us all we needed to know and it was because of their coaching and encouragement that we did so well in the race and we even got to train on Lake Windermere!"

With two qualifying heats of intense sprint paddling and the championship heat in a downpour the team was quite tired but it was all worth it. After the final Jill added, "It was exciting to see everyone come together and work as a team. We worked so hard and it was a fantastic experience."

On the back of the team’s success, Lancaster University Confucius Institute hopes to host the next instalment of the annual races on the River Lune in May of 2015.

Resurfacing works partly funded by European Union finance to revive the heart of Lancaster city centre are well underway as part of a £1 million investment to reinvigorate Market Square and the surrounding streets that will include the return of the famous horseshoe to "Horsehoe Corner" on the corner of Penny Street and Market Street.

Street works to improve the city centre started at the beginning of March at the bottom of Cheapside and Market Square with further work starting this week to resurface the rest of Market Square.

During this time, the Charter Market will continue to run in the city centre every Wednesday and Saturday as normal. However, to make way for further works taking place in the vicinity of market square, some stallholders have been relocated to New Street. Others have taken up vacant pitches on lower Market Street and Cheapside until the works are complete.

An improved long term layout for the Charter Market will then be introduced which will make full use of its enhanced setting.

The installation of a new centrepiece in Market Square which is scheduled to be complete by the end of July will mark the end of this phase.

The famous horseshoe - currently in safe keeping at
Morecambe Town Hall

The council have also told virtual-lancaster the horseshoe that was removed for safe keeping from Penny Street some time ago will be incorporated into the paving when works to resurface "Horse Shoe Corner" take place, within the next three or four weeks.

Market Street and Market Square will be closed to all through traffic but pedestrian access to shops and businesses will be maintained during normal business hours.

Councillor Janice Hanson, Lancaster City Council’s Cabinet member with responsibility for Economic Regeneration and Planning, said: “Investing in improving the heart of Lancaster city centre is at last taking shape with resurfacing works being rolled out to some of the busiest streets in the city.

“Market Street and Market Square has always been the focal point for both civic and ceremonial activities as well as events and trade. We can now look forward to what was once a tired and uninviting place portraying an image befitting our important historic city and encouraging more activity into the city centre during the day and through into the evening.

“In turn this will boost the local economy, increase income and profit for local businesses and lead to more jobs for local people.”

The Horseshoe in its original setting.Photo: Han Fleet

The works are part of the Lancaster Square Routes Project and being led by Lancaster City council in close partnership with Lancashire County Council and other partners to make improvements to Market Square and surrounding streets to strengthen the city centre’s position as a quality destination for visitors, residents and traders.

They are co-funded by the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) Programme 2007-2013 and both councils.

• Did you know? Horseshoe Corner is the unofficial name of the intersection between Penny Street, Cheapside and Market Street in Lancaster. It is so named because of the horseshoe once set into the paving at the centre of this crossroads and due to be restored. Legend has is that John o' Gaunt's horse shed a shoe here when he left Lancaster castle for the last time. This was once the centre of the mediaeval City of Lancaster. More info: https://www.facebook.com/groups/393878117314695

An ongoing exhibition of photographs showing the changing face of Lancaster’s Market Square will open at Lancaster Library this Saturday - 24th May 2014.

The images show how Market Square has changed over the last century, and offer a contrast to the latest facelift and new centrepiece that is currently being worked on as part of the "Square Routes" scheme that includes a huge improvement to Penny Street, where work is still in progress, and will include the return of the famous horseshoe to "Horsehoe Corner" (on the corner of Market and Penny Street) very soon.

To complement the exhibition, there will be further displays from Lancaster's library and museum archives to illustrate the wide range of local businesses that have been part of the Market Square's history.

The archives also include records of the many celebrations that have taken place in the square over the past 100 years.

The event is funded by the Friends of Lancaster Library, a local voluntary group that helps with many of the events and activities taking place at the library.

Anna Haywood, a library officer at Lancaster, said: “This brilliant event showcases the rich heritage of this historic city. We're very grateful to the Friends for their generosity and hard work helping to bring it all together.

“Visitors to the library will be able to see the transformation Lancaster has undergone over many years and compare that to the future plans.

“We'd also like thank the residents of Lancaster for their valuable support, which has once again shown the wonderful community spirit that we have here in the city.

The exhibition coincides with 'Lancaster Unlocked', a city-wide event celebrating Lancaster's history.

Anyone who has photographs that would be suitable for the exhibition is welcome to contact the library or the Friends of Lancaster Library.

Lancaster City Museum also has a display about the history of the Old Town Hall, now the museum. Staff are keen to hear people's memories or see their photographs.

Lancaster Library is part of Lancashire County Council's library service.

Is there an issue affecting you and your community that you would like to see Lancaster City Council look into? If so, Lancaster City Council wants to hear from you.

Scrutiny is important to local democracy and exists to hold decision-makers to account and ensure that issues of concern to local residents and visitors are addressed.

It could be a problem in a local area, a council service or an issue which you feel the council, using its community leadership role, should take a lead in improving.

Based on these issues, the committee can make a number of recommendations to the council or other agencies, which can help to make real improvements to the lives of residents in the district.

Councillor June Ashworth, Chair of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee, said: "In recent years various task groups have made a number of recommendations to council, cabinet and other agencies, with the intention of helping to make real improvements to the lives of residents in the district.

"It is therefore important that local people get in touch, let us know what concerns them or how the council can improve the services it provides."

If you think there is a particular issue that should be scrutinised, let us know by writing to the Overview and Scrutiny Committee, c/o Democratic Services at Lancaster City Council, Town Hall, Lancaster, LA1 1PJ.

Morecambe Carnival 2014 had a fantastic turnout, with an estimated 30,000 people turning out to watch it, and while the date of next year's event has yet to be confirmed, the Carnival's organisers are now planning for a bigger and better carnival experience in 2015.

The event attracted interest and support from schools, businesses, community groups, uniform groups, sports clubs who all got involved and represented in the carnival parade.

This year we’re looking for the most creative and entertaining float ideas, either traditional or something new and exciting," say the team. "Entries in MC14 came from all parts of the Morecambe Community and we’re looking for the same level of diversity and creativity – only more!

"The Morecambe Carnival is an fantastic opportunity to celebrate the variety of Morecambe’s community sprit."

The organisers urge anyone interested in taking part to take a look at our guidelines before submitting an entry.

A Float Application does not guarantee a float entry – successful applicants will be notified of their qualification

Upon a successful application there will be a £25 entry fee per float, £100 for businesses. Once accepted a place in the carnival parade is non-refundable

Safety is of paramount importance for all involved in MC15 so all floats must provide at the very least two volunteer stewards for safety reasons

Please be as descriptive as possible when telling the orgnaisers about your float. This will help with the selection processes

Just weeks after The Dukes revealed that popular actress Sarah Lancashire had been appointed its first Honorary Patron she has added a touch of lustre to her new role by scooping a BAFTA.

Sarah, who rose to national television fame as Coronation Street barmaid Raquel in the 1990s, won her prestigious BAFTA on Sunday evening at a glittering award ceremony in London, picking up the award for her role in the BBC drama Last Tango in Halifax.<

Just over a fortnight ago, Sarah was a special guest at The Dukes for a Gala performance of its new production, The Life & Times of Mitchell & Kenyon where her position of Honorary Patron was announced.

Joe Sumsion, Director of The Dukes, said: "It's fantastic to see Sarah's success at the BAFTAs. She's brilliant in Last Tango in Halifax and it's really no surprise that her work has been recognised in this way.

"We're all really proud of her here at The Dukes - and the success of our first Honorary Patron certainly gives us plenty to live up to."

Although she has been nominated for a BAFTA in the past, this is the first time Sarah has lifted one of the awards. She has appeared on the West End stage as well as in many popular television dramas including Where The Heart Is, Clocking Off, Rose and Maloney and The Paradise.

She's currently appearing on our screens in the new BBC drama Happy Valley, which is written by Sally Wainwright who also scripted Last Tango in Halifax.

As The Dukes Honorary Patron, Sarah will be an ambassador for the theatre and attend special events such as the Gala Night. The Dukes is keeping its fingers crossed that her commitments will permit her to be the star attraction at its next major fundraising event, The Diamond Dinner, at The Midland in Morecambe next February.

Lancashire County Council has become the 50th British local authority to agree to lobby Governmentto sign up to the Financial Transaction Tax. The motion was proposed at the County’s Full Council meeting last week (15thMay) by Gina Dowding, Lancashire’s Green County Councillor representing Lancaster Centraland also a European candidate.

Lancaster City Council was one of the first to pass such a motion in 2012, and Preston Council recently followed suit.

The Robin Hood Tax – or Financial Transaction Tax (1) is a tax on all financial exchanges, including shares, bonds and derivatives. Even at the rate of 0.05%, the tax could raise up to £250bn per year globally and up to £20bn per year nationally.

“The money raised could be used to provide the vital council funding for services that are being decimated by government cuts," says County Councillor Gina Dowding.

“A Robin Hood Tax would ensure that the number of high risk financial transactions, the gambling which helped to trigger the financial crisis, would be curtailed. By curbing some of the worst financial sector excesses, a Robin Hood tax would help to rebalance the economy.

“ We are sending a clear message to the government that we want a finance system that works for the common good, not the vested interests of the few”

“The Green group in the European Parliament has been instrumental in pushing for a Financial Transaction Tax," added Peter Cranie who is the Green Party’s finance spokesperson and lead North West European candidate added.

"Eleven Member States including Germany, France, Italy and Spain have decided it is crucial to put people before the profits of their big banks and financial speculators and introduce an FTT.

"The UK government on the other hand has continued to block the tax in order to promote business as usual in the City of London.”

Lancaster City Council has again scooped a top award that places two of Morecambe’s beaches among the best in the UK.

Seaside Awards recognise and award beaches in England that achieve the highest standards of beach management.

Keep Britain Tidy has announced that Morecambe's North and South beaches are two of 13 North West beaches to have received an award for offering visitors great facilities alongside a litter free and safe environment.

Councillor Ron Sands

“Lancaster City Council recognises the increasing importance of our coastline in attracting visitors to the town," commnted Councillor Ron Sands, cabinet member with responsibility for leisure, culture and tourism, "and we are delighted to have received a Seaside Award for both Morecambe's North and South beaches.

"The standards of these beaches are testament to all those who work hard throughout the year to ensure they can be enjoyed by residents, visitors and holiday-makers alike.”

The LOVEmyBEACH campaign is a great way for anyone who lives, works or visits Morecambe to make a difference and help improve our two designated Bathing Waters. Please visit www.lovemybeach.org to find out more.

If you run a business and would like to pledge your support, please contact Emma McColm, LOVEmyBEACH Co-ordinator for your free checklist atemma@morecambebay.org.uk

These simple steps can help LOVEmyBEACH:

Only flush the 3Ps down the toilet– poo, pee and paper. Everything else goes in the bin!

Lancashire County Council is supporting a national campaign to encourage people to become 'Dementia Friends'.

This week is National Dementia Week and with more than 7,600 people registered as having dementia in the county, people are being urged to help those living with the condition.

More than 0.65% of Lancashire's population are registered as having dementia compared to 0.57% nationally.

The Dementia Friends campaign is run by Public Health England and encourages people to visit www.dementiafriends.org.uk to find out what they can do to help.

This campaign runs throughout May and features advertisements, events, social media activities and video clips on YouTube.

Dr Sakthi Karunanithi, Lancashire County Council's director of public health, said: "In Lancashire, the number of people suffering from dementia is higher than the national average, so it's important we do what we can to help raise awareness of this condition.

"If we live past 65, one in three of us will develop dementia and every one of us will be affected by it because we will all know someone living with the condition.

"It is possible for people with dementia to live well, happily and independently for many years. However, they need help, understanding and kindness from those around them.

"Becoming a Dementia Friend is one way to help and it will only take you a few minutes to find out more.

• During Dementia Awareness Week, people will be able to find out more about Dementia Friends in Lancashire County Council's libraries and museums, and at other community venues throughout Lancashire.• Visit http://bit.ly/lancsdementiafriends2014 for more information

Monday, 19 May 2014

Lancaster City Council is reminding people to go out and vote in this week’s European elections.

The city council is administering the poll for the European elections in the Lancaster district.

There will also be by-elections in the University and Scotforth West wards following the resignation of two city councillors and a by-election for Morecambe Town Council in the Westgate ward.

Poll cards detailing where people can cast their vote have been posted to everyone on the electoral register. Voters are advised to double check the location of their polling station as there have been a couple of changes to locations.

If you normally vote at the Skerton Learning Centre you will be voting at the Elim Pentecostal Church on Owen Road (known as ‘Father’s House’ Church). If you normally vote at Ellel St John’s Primary School, you will now vote at Ellel Village Hall.

If you haven’t got a poll card, don’t worry – you can still vote in the election provided your name is on the electoral register. At the polling station, the poll clerk or presiding officer should ask you for your name and address. Once this is confirmed they will issue you with a ballot paper.

A revamp to the website for Lancashire's car-sharing service has made it easier than ever to find someone to share your journey, petrol and parking costs.

Sharedwheels.co.uk currently boasts almost 4,500 members with regular users typically saving around £1,000 a year. The improved website has a sleek new design and new functions which make it even easier to search for people making similar journeys.

The free service allows members to make contact by email without disclosing their personal details, and there is no obligation to share. Members can choose to share every day, occasionally or even one-off journeys such as to a concert, festival or other special event. The site is suitable for people who! are looking for a lift, offering one, or who would like to take it in turns driving.

Janet Hoyle found a sharer for her daily journey from Preston to Lancaster through Sharedwheels.co.uk and has never looked back. She said: "I had a few emails from people but the timing wasn't correct, however I then got an email from Kevin.

"He lives the other end of Preston from me but works just down the road. His hours fit in with mine and we arranged to try car sharing and see how we got on. I drive my car to Kevin's and we take turns in driving. It works out really well and I've almost halved my petrol costs."Sharedwheels.co.uk is for anyone that lives or works in Lancashire and is a partnership between Lancashire County Council, Blackpool Council and Blackburn-with-Darwen Council.

Internationally renowned storyteller Ben Haggarty, writer of The DFC‘s Mezolith and Will Scoggins Skull strips, returns to Lancaster on Friday 6th June and slips behind the lights into the dark side of fairground, where you risk getting more than you bargained for.

Via urban legend, fairytale and freak-show, ready yourself for an alarming journey through the ambivalent mythology of the Sandman for this Lancaster Arts City First Friday event.

Comic creator Ben Haggarty is a central figure in contemporary UK storytelling and has been featured on numerous radio programmes including BBC Radio 4’s Midweek, A Good Read, and The Today Programme. He is internationally respected for his passionate and lively performances.

The event is one of a number of appearances by Ben across the UK this year, including a performance of The Grateful and the Dead at the Ashwell Music Festival on 23rd May.

- Ben Haggarty: Litfest Auditorium, The Storey, Meeting House Lane. Not suitable for under 14′s. Tickets cost £10.00 (£8 concessions) and can be booked through eventbrite or by calling 01524 62166

The Friends of the Triangle - a group dedicated to transforming the once derelict Triangle site at Aldcliffe Road into a pleasant area in Lancaster - organised a get together with a barbecue on the site on Saturday 17th May.

It was a tremendous success, with musicians mingling with the crowd, almost as though we had gone back in time to a more leisurely England.

Canal boats glided slowly by and people gathered in their summer clothes, in a most friendly carnival atmosphere.

Mingling and chatting with different groups was a most relaxing and pleasurable experience, an academic here, a plumber and his family of lovely laughing children there, A family from Cheshire sitting in the shade. “How is the Northern Reaches work progressing”? We hear.

By direct contrast, but somehow part of this idyllic scene, across the canal stands the old boat house and repair yard of British Waterways.

Empty sheds, the once proud Swan Mortuary and the erect crane, sentinel of a once busy site, soon to be modern housing.

While our canals are from a bygone age, but if there is a more leisurely way of life, more back to nature in our midst, then here is where we find it, for this is England, and a way of life worth preserving. Ends

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virtual-lancaster is an independent community web site for the Lancaster, Morecambe and surrounding area, compiled by a group of volunteers. For more information about the site, visit www.virtual-lancaster.net/contact/about.